Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-05-26
4 SAD AooIDssr.
Two Young Journalists KILLED ON
ahai Asnnannnv hva.nnis Ranllrfarzsd. 1

About O'Clock on Saturday evening on
the tracks OF the Pennsylvania railroad,
near Germantown Junction, J. Ray shep-
herd, a member OF the local stan OF the
Record, and u. j. Isaacs, employed In a
similar capacity on the Press, we're killed
by the Washington express train, which
left New York az $50 p. m. Thomas Blynn,
q reporter of the Times, was In company
with the unfortunate young men, and mar
rowly escaped the same fate. Tho three
reporters were Just returning from the
school ehildren's May festival, given by
Browning, King Il Co., at the state fair
grounds, which they had been assigned to
report.
starting to come back to Philadelphia at
$50 O'Clock.
Just as the leader OF theparty, Mr.. Blynn,
reached the end Of a trestle work and
stepped over to the platform, he noticed
New York, coming down the track on
which he had been walking. Shepherd and
Isaaes we're then near the middle OF the
bridge and Blynn shouted to them: Look
out, boys, the train is coming
Isaacs' attention was attracted by tho
shout OF warning. Looking up he saw the
track dashing toward him. tiS
The engineer quickly grasped the situa-
tion and blew his whistle and put on the
brakes, but Il WIS too late. Isaaes,
doubtless bewildered by the nearness OF
the train and anxious to reaeh n place OF
safety, made misstep and fell. Shepherd,
who was Immediately behind. stumbled
over his companion. They struggled TO
get up, but before they could do go the
train was on them and they were crushed
beneath the heavy pilot wheels of the
| engine. The traiR IL one of the few that
| does not stop at Germantown Junction. 1t
was running at the time at the rate of
| about 40 miles an hour, and its momentum
was such that the air-brakes could not
check 1t before the fatal work had boon
completed. I5
The bodies OF the young Journalists were
| frightfully mangled and torn and were car
ried by the engine fully 100 feet from the
| spot where the accident occurred. As soon
as the train came to = standstili the con-
| ductor, baggage-master and brakeman
hurried forward and disentangled themRn-
| gled forms from the pilot wheels Of the
1 engine. The engineer, who had exerted
every effort to prevent the accident, was
| completely unnerved by the sight, while
| Mr.. Blynn and dozen or more witnesses
| on the platform at the station stood speech
/ less with horror. The train was backed to
the station, the bodies placed In the bag
| gage car, carried to Powelton avenue sta
tion and thence to the Sixteenth District
| Station House, at Thlrty-ninth street and
i Powelton avenue.
Upon an examination OF the remains OF
| the dead journalists, as they lay at the stu
| ton house, II was evident that death must
have been instantaneous. The back of
shepherds skull was crushed, but his face
| was intact. His left foot was cut OF, one OF
4 his arms had been dlsmembered, and the
| body was crushed. The body of his ILL
| fated companion was even worse mangled,
the face being almost unrecognizable. His
llmbs also cut oil.
II OaA, uIa.v
1 uieht to the establishment of Coroners
Undortaker j. Lewis Good, ut No. 921
4 Spruce street, and were Sunday delivered
/ BY him to their relatives.
/ j. Ray Shepherd had been member OF
the local staff OF the Record since October
last. He was In his 26th year and was a
son of The late George W. Shepherd, OF the
well-known conveyancing firm of Oollady
Il Shepherd, who died about II years ago.
The young man received a primary educa-
/ tion In Philadelphia and at the death OF
his father went to Germany, where he
finished his education with a course at the
Leipsie University. Returning to his home
a few years ago he entered the law office oil
| Hon. II, Carroll Brewster but, not taking
kindly to the law, he abandoned 1t for the
more exciting arena OF the financial world
aud became member Of the Consolidated
Exchange Of New York city. He sold his
seat In the exchange on going TO Philudel-
| phia In October last. He gave promise oil
a bright future In the field Of Journalism,
being an indefatigable worker, painstakiDg
i and conscientious, and always courteous
and oDliglng.
He was nephew OF Henry II. Shoe b
j ex-select councilman from the Twenty ninth
| ward, with whom he resided. He was q
member OF Pacltie Lodge, No. 23l, a. X. III.
| OF New York City.
| EphIaina j. IOaooo Woo tho only oi
Hortense J. Isaacs, who was for long time
associated with her father in the diamond
brokerage business on Chestnut street. He
was the nephew of DIR. Judah Isaacs. He
was about 20 years OF age, and resided with
his uncle on Eleventh street near Poplar
He had been engaged on the Press for about
seven weeks, and gave promise OF becoming
| a good newspaper man.